Improvement in inkstands



THOMAS DUNCAN.

Improvement in l'nkstands. NO. 115,041. Patented May 23,1871;

.1! ilmm-uraaamrmc m 4216/ flack/15's PROCESS) UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIGE THOMAS DUNCAN, OF BROOKVILLE, MARYLAND.

IMPROVEMENT [N INKSTANDS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 115,041, dated May 23, 1871.

I, THOMAS DUNCAN, of Brook'ville, in the county of Montgomery and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Inkstands, of which the following is a specification:

My inyention relates to that class of inkstands having counterbalanced vertically-vibrating hinged tops, which open and close more readily than tops not counterbalanced.

As heretofore constructed the tops of such inkstands have been pivoted to some point remote from the inkstand itself, which arrangement I deem cumbersome and inconvenient.

It is the object of my invention to combine a vertically-vibrating top, pivoted directly to the inkstand, with a counter-balance vibrating on the same hinge as the top and a pen-holder mounted directly on the 'inkstand top, as hereinafter more fully set forth, thus producin g a useful, ornamental, and compact inkstand, which will open and close by the removal from or replacement of the pen in its holder, or which may permanently be held open or closed, as desired, by adjusting the counterbalance.

To carry out the objects of my invention I take an inkstand, A, of well-known form and materials, having a top hinged to vibrate vertically in the usual way, and secure upon it a base-plate, B, from which an arm carrying a weight, b, projects. This weight should be suflieiently heavy to keep the top open when not overbalanced by the pen, as hereinafter explained. The weight would serve a good purpose if mounted on a rigid arm; but I prefer to hinge this arm to the plate B, as shown, so that the weight may be folded over upon the top when desired. A socket, (J, for the reception of the pen is secured upon the top or base-plate of the inkstand. A sponge-holder, d, may likewise be secured on the base-plate or top.

It is obvious that the socket might be dispensed with and the pen be rested in the sponge-holder, (the sponge being left out.) A rack, D, of any proper form, might also be secured upon the top or base-plate. It is, by preference, located further in advance of the hinge of the top than in the drawing.

The bed-plate B might either form the top of the inkstand, or, by being made of thin metal, with edges to overlap the top, it might be applied to any ordinary inksta-nd having a hinged top. If the plate B were clamped loosely on the top so as to allow it to turn, the inkstand would not be so liable to be upset by an accidental sidewise blow as it would be if the base-plate and top were rigidly connected.

When the pen is in the socket, asshown in full linesin Figure 1, or in the rack D, as in Fig. 2, its weight should be such as to keep the top closed; but when the pen is removed the weight b overbalances the topand causes it to open. When inserted in the socket again the weight is overbalanced and the top is closed.

The devices described may be constructed in various ornamental and tasteful forms, and thus combine beauty with utility.

By folding the weight b over upon the lid the top would remain closed. It might be opened by throwing the weight out again, and thus avoid soiling the fingers by applying them to the lid.

I do not broadly claim a counterbalanced inkstand top, as this is old.

I claim as my invention The combination of the cover vibrating vertically on a hinge on the inkstand, the counter-balance vibrating on a hinge on the cover of the inkstand, and the pen-socket O mounted on the hinged top, all these parts being constructed to operate, as hereinbefore set forth, automatically to open and close the inkstand by the mere act of removing or replacing the pen.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name. I

THOS. DUNCAN.

Witnesses:

EDM. F. BROWN, BALTIS DE Lone. 

